Summer days fired up with a thirst so strong ice water couldn’t do the trick. I think of the abundance of fresh fruit waiting on every farmer’s market table.  We all know hot days require a steady dose of hydration.  Whether it be an ice cold water, ice cold beer, or an iced coffee, you may still find your thirst unquenched and your appetite for food diminishing by the minute.

My appetite shrinks in the summertime. Sometimes I forget to eat…and when I realize it has been hours since I’ve had anything in my stomach, I’m thrown for a loop trying to figure out what exactly I’m in the mood to ingest.  The idea of a juicy watermelon comes to mind.  Sure, I can just slice it up and eat it that way…but remember, I haven’t eaten in hours?  And I definitely need more sustenance than the gallons of water and iced americanos I’ve already been drinking.  So to add a little liveliness to an otherwise boring watermelon wedge, I thought a squeeze of fresh lime juice with crumbled Mexican queso fresco and a sprinkle of lime zest will sate my need for solid food.  There’s more to chew on and the watery melon provides the hydration my body needs.  Spice it up with a little chili powder and you got yourself an open-faced watermelon sandwich.  Another thought I had in mind was to concoct a not-too-sweet simple syrup with fresh lime juice instead of plain lime juice…you know, just to add a little sweetness.  Either way, it’s all good.  Brooklyn, EAT your heart out!